The Tiffen 4×5.6 ND Filter Set is a professional-grade solution for cinematographers and photographers who need precise exposure control without compromising color fidelity. Designed for matte box systems, these rectangular filters are made from Water White optical glass and manufactured using Tiffen’s ColorCore lamination process, which ensures neutral color performance and consistency from filter to filter. Whether balancing high-contrast daylight, shaping depth of field, or smoothing motion blur, this kit provides a clean, reliable path to creative exposure decisions across a range of lighting scenarios.
Neutral Density filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens uniformly across the visible spectrum. This allows creators to maintain wider apertures for shallow depth of field in bright conditions, or use slower shutter speeds to introduce natural motion blur for water, traffic, or dynamic scenes. In video workflows, NDs preserve cinematic shutter angles under intense sun and help maintain consistent exposure when switching between interiors and exteriors. The set’s carefully selected strengths cover common stops so crews can stack or swap efficiently without color shifts or unwanted casts.
Built for production reliability, each filter features polished flatness and tight thickness tolerances to ensure optical integrity and compatibility with professional clamp-on and rod-mounted matte boxes. The 4×5.6 size offers generous coverage for wide lenses and complex rigs while minimizing vignetting. Edges are precision-finished for safe handling, and the durable construction is designed to endure repeated rental cycles, travel, and on-set demands.
Color neutrality is at the heart of this kit. Tiffen’s ColorCore technology bonds the ND substrate between two pieces of high-grade glass and then grinds and polishes to precise specifications, helping to maintain accurate white balance and consistent skin tones across different cameras and lighting conditions. This translates to less time correcting shifts in post and more confidence when cutting between angles or matching shots over multiple days.
On set, workflow speed matters. Clearly marked filter densities make quick selection straightforward for 1-stop, 2-stop, 3-stop, and higher reductions depending on the set configuration. Stacking is predictable thanks to consistent neutrality, and the rectangular format plays nicely with tray-based matte boxes, allowing fast swaps during changing light. For gimbal and handheld work, keeping shutter and ISO fixed while riding aperture becomes simple with the appropriate ND strength.
Practical use cases include day exterior dialogue where shallow depth of field must be preserved in strong sunlight, action sequences that require a fixed shutter angle for motion continuity, and commercial product shots where precise exposure is needed across glossy surfaces. Documentary teams benefit by controlling exposure without compromising ISO noise or shutter cadence, especially when the pace of shooting prevents extensive relighting.
As a camera rental partner, Unicorn Films supplies the Tiffen 4×5.6 ND Filter Set as part of ready-to-roll matte box packages. Sets are individually inspected for cleanliness and optical integrity, then packed in protective cases with cleansing kits, microfiber cloths, and tray spacers. Our knowledgeable crew matches ND strengths to shooting briefs, advises on stacking best practices, and pairs the kit with compatible matte boxes, step-up rings, and wide-angle trays. The goal is simple: fast, clean exposure control that maintains color consistency and speeds post.
For creators who prioritize image integrity, color neutrality, and dependable handling, the Tiffen 4×5.6 ND Filter Set is a proven choice. It streamlines exposure management in challenging light, protects skin tones from unwanted shifts, and preserves the creative intent of aperture and shutter settings across narrative, commercial, doc, and live environments. With the right set in the kit, exposure becomes a controlled variable rather than a compromise.
| Feature | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Water White Optical Glass | High-clarity substrate with polished flatness. | Maintains sharpness and optical integrity. |
| ColorCore Manufacturing | Laminated, ground, and polished to tight tolerances. | Consistent density and color neutrality. |
| Neutral Density Control | Reduces light evenly across the spectrum. | Enables wide apertures and proper shutter angles. |
| 4×5.6 Matte Box Format | Standard cinema size for broad lens coverage. | Minimizes vignetting and speeds filter swaps. |
| Stacking Compatibility | Predictable behavior when combining strengths. | Fine-grained exposure control on set. |
| Marked Densities | Clear labels for quick selection. | Faster operation under changing light. |
| Durable Construction | Precision edges and protective storage. | Reliable performance in rental workflows. |
| Color-True Performance | Neutral rendering of skin tones and whites. | Less time correcting casts in post. |
A neutral density filter uniformly reduces scene brightness so the lens can stay at wider apertures or the shutter angle can remain cinematic without overexposure.
The ColorCore process and Water White glass are designed for neutrality, helping preserve accurate white balance and skin tones across densities.
Yes, stacking is common for fine control; the set’s consistent neutrality supports predictable exposure without unwanted color shifts.
The 4x5.6 format fits most cinema matte boxes with standard trays, offering wide coverage for many primes and zooms.
Sets commonly cover core stops such as ND0.3, ND0.6, ND0.9, and beyond; exact composition can be tailored when requested for specific lighting conditions.
